WaterfallNear Me

Wintergreen Falls

Transylvania County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
164 ft (50 m)
Location
Transylvania County, North Carolina
Access status
State park trails, then a faint riverside path for the last half mile
The walk
About 10 miles return
Ground & access
Difficult. Long hike with a faint, unofficial riverside path for the last half mile, a stream crossing and a rock scramble at a cliff face. Slippery rocks.
Waterfall Hero: Wintergreen Falls (Toxaway)

Wintergreen Falls is a large waterfall on Toxaway River deep in Gorges State Park, not the Wintergreen Falls in DuPont State Forest. From the Frozen Creek Access parking, take Augur Hole Trail. About 3 miles in, shortly before Augur Hole Trail fords Toxaway River, Wintergreen Trail splits left. It follows the river upstream for about a mile, up and down, and ends at a campsite. From there a faint path continues upstream past several drops. About half a mile past the end of the trail, the path crosses Panther Branch and then needs a scramble over rocks at a cliff face. Past the cliff the path flattens and reaches the large pool at the base of the falls. An upper section is not visible from the base.

Plan your visit

Gorges State Park Frozen Creek Access, Augur Hole Trail and Wintergreen Trail along Toxaway River, then an unofficial riverside path to the base of Wintergreen Falls

Waterfall Hero gives a hike length of 10 miles for this out-and-back route.

Difficult. Long hike with a faint, unofficial riverside path for the last half mile, a stream crossing and a rock scramble at a cliff face. Slippery rocks.

Where to start

Frozen Creek Access parking of Gorges State Park, on the right about 3 miles along Frozen Creek Road from US 64 west of Brevard. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.10853, -82.88361.

Timing & water

Park hours vary by month and the park is closed on Christmas Day. Plan for a full day; the round trip takes 6 to 8 hours by the source estimate.

Before you go

Gorges State Park charges no day-use fee.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Transylvania County, North Carolina.

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